“No,” he said as he lowered his head, hiding the grin that was starting to turn into a smile. “Weddings are like that, aren’t they?”
I started smiling uncontrollably, so I had to bite my lip to keep myself from looking like a childish schoolgirl. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there was something about Daniel that made me want to giggle and blush and act as though I’d never seen a man before. Maybe it was that mysterious gaze that somehow made me want to know every thought that was going through his mind. Or maybe it was just the fact that he was incredibly gorgeous. I had to remind myself that we were now family, and then I couldn’t think thoughts like that no matter how true they were. “I guess so.”
Daniel released my hand and then put his hands in his pockets. We stood there about two chairs apart looking back at each other without knowing what to say. He was a bit shy, something I wasn’t expecting from one of Danforth’s children.
“So, when will I be able to meet your brothers?” I asked as I tucked back a long strand of my hair. I didn’t have the professional stylist mess with my hair this morning like my mother had hoped I would. Instead, I did my own hairstyle the way I liked it. Just some soft, lengthy twirls with one side pinned back.
Daniel turned and glanced back over his shoulder, and then he turned and looked the other way.
“Well, I’m sure you will by the end of the day. They’re floating around here somewhere mingling, I’m sure.”
When he faced me again, he looked a little more flushed than before. I could tell he wasn’t into social gatherings. Nonetheless, I didn’t feel bad for him. He was, after all, the son of a billionaire. He had to be used to hosting big events and all that pomp.
I smiled back at Daniel as he leaned away like he was about to leave. “I think I’m going to go over and say hi to my mom,” I said to him.
“Yeah, I bet she’ll be happy to see you after all of this. I can only imagine how nerve wracking it can be as the center of attention.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“It was nice to meet you.” He extended his hand once more and I took hold out of politeness. Then he leaned close for one of those halfway hugs that are always weird, and I completely ducked away. It turned out that it was way more awkward than it should have been to avoid that hug rather than embrace it. We both stood there with pity smiles plastered on our faces for a few seconds before we let go.
“Well then.” I shrugged.
“Yes.” He popped his hands on his hips. “I’ll see you around.” He turned and left, and I sat down.
I let out a breath, then I found Emery looking at me with big eyes and a cheesy smile. I laughed at her. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that you were totally flirting with him.”
I felt so embarrassed for about five seconds, but then she laughed and leaned into me, nudging me with her shoulder. “Don’t sweat it,” she said quietly. “I wouldn’t even care if he was my cousin, that man is delicious.”
“Oh my God, Emery!”
We both laughed for a minute, and then I saw my mom looking over at me with the happiest smile on her face. Her seeing me enjoying myself with a newfound friend was enough to put the icing on the cake.
“Seriously though, he smells like a walking Calvin Klein ad.”
“I think it’s more expensive than that,” I said, and again we were laughing like boy-crazy, teen girls.
“Are you dating anyone though?” she asked me.
“I wish.” I rolled my eyes and sighed, and I was still smiling. It was still a great day even if I was there without a plus one. “My friend recently started dating…” I wasn’t sure how to explain my friend Jourdanne’s love situation.
“Someone famous?” Emery rubbed her hands together excitedly.
“Um… No.” I leaned in and told Emery, “She started dating this one guy, who was actually already dating another guy… It’s a long story. Basically, they all live together now.”
“All three?”
“Yep. I have to say, I’m a little jealous of her.”
Emery’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, who wouldn’t be? She gets to bed two guys every night. Yum!”
I let out a laugh, then realized I had drawn the attention of Danforth. I gave him a smile, then turned to Emery again.
“Yeah, and it’s these types of events that make me more jealous. It’s always so obvious who’s single.”
“Hey, I know what you mean. I think my taste in men is just too wild for me to find the right guy. That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun from time to time.”